Passion Play (2013)

Passion Play, written by Peter Nichols, is a black comedy. The production is co-produced by Tali Pelman Productions, Ambassador Theatre Group Productions, and Old Vic Productions. It was performed from 12 April - 3 August 2013 at these theatres:

Richmond Theatre, Surrey12-20 April

Theatre Royal Brighton23-27 April

Duke of York's Theatre, London1 May - 3 August (press night: 7 May)

Special eventsThere was a free debate, hosted by journalists and relationship experts, before the performance on 5 June. There was a Q&A with cast members after the performance on 4 June (hosted by The Times), and also one on 11 June (hosted by Whatsonstage.com).

Running time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

Photo by John Swannell

Overview

In the darkly comic Passion Play, ZoŽ stars as Eleanor, a chorister whose marriage disintegrates when her husband James embarks on an affair with someone she had considered as a friend and confidante. The consequences will lead Eleanor to question every aspect of her life.

James, a leading restorer of paintings, agrees to a clandestine meeting with the couple's sultry young friend Kate, the widow of a former colleague. An affluent photographer, Kate ostensibly needs James' professional input for a book she plans to write; but her real motive for meeting Eleanor's husband is to convince him to take her as his lover.

James needs little convincing, and slowly the lies mount up. The revelation that her husband of twenty-five years is being unfaithful comes as a tremendous shock to Eleanor, who feels compelled to reveal secrets of her own. With the marriage at crisis point, both she and James develop alter-egos - Nell and Jim - who give voice to the troubled spouses' innermost thoughts.

The trailer offers more insights into the tensions at the heart of the play.

Crew

Notes

When this production of Passion Play was announced by the Daily Mail, in October 2012, the play's producer, Tali Pelman, described ZoŽ as a 'funny, sensual, and exciting' addition to the cast.

Passion Play sees ZoŽ working again with director David Leveaux, who previously directed her in the extraordinarily successful production of Electra. The Greek tragedy was performed both in the UK and on Broadway between 1997 and 1999.

Passion Play's press night was held at the Duke of York's Theatre on 7 May, attended by special guests including Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Mangan, Twiggy, and Jenny Eclair. The show was followed by a party at The National Cafť. ZoŽ, other cast members, and some well-known audience members share their thoughts about the production in this press night video:

ReviewsThe production received a warm response from critics during its tour of Richmond and Brighton, before opening to excellent reviews in London's West End. Highlights are below.

Telegraph: 'David Leveauxís beautifully judged production does full justice to this ingenious modern classic [...] Both ZoŽ Wanamaker and Samantha Bond give deeply moving performances as the betrayed wife while Teale and Cotton capture both the sexual elation and guilty panic of the husband.'

The Times: 'Wanamaker carries it through brilliantly, from a cheerful lack of suspicion to shock, shades of attempted acceptance, and final dissolution.'

Mail on Sunday: 'ZoŽ Wanamaker is at her most compelling. Initially as springy as her curls, confident of her husbandís love, she almost visibly caves in, crushed by grief.'

Daily Express: '[Eleanor] risks losing part of herself, becoming a husk of the assured, confident woman she was at the start, something the excellent Wanamaker conveys to devastating effect.'

Bloomberg: 'The quiet despair in Wanamakerís voice is worth the price of the ticket.'

The Stage: 'what is so supremely affecting in Leveauxís production is the effortless transparency of Zoe Wanamakerís beautiful performance as the wife'

Official London Theatre: 'Everything about the Olivier Award-winning actress Ė the way she holds herself, her facial expressions, the look in her eyes Ė conveys that of a destroyed woman, plagued by doubt and no longer able to trust her once loving husband.'

London Theatre Guide: 'ZoŽ Wanamaker's hugely affecting Eleanor is a woman trapped in an insufferable dilemma.'

Wales Online: 'As a result of this strong casting and a great script that does not suffer at all from the passage of 30 years, Passion Play proves to be an absolute delight that should fill the Duke of York's auditorium throughout this limited run.'

The Arts Desk: 'Leveauxís production zings, stings and draws blood, and Wanamaker is devastating, visibly crumbling as every certainty is stripped away from her.'

British Theatre Guide: 'Director David Leveaux manoeuvres his wonderful cast, performing to perfection, around the stage and each other with deceptive skill, ensuring that each has a chance to shine'

Be The Red Carpet: 'Wanamaker does a fantastic job of garnering the audienceís sympathy [...] The change in the character from a bubbly, outgoing wife to a shell of her former self is heartbreaking and brilliantly played.'

The Hollywood News: 'Zoe Wanamaker is deeply moving as a woman whose world is falling down around her but is desperate to keep her emotions under wraps.'

Jewish News: 'a thought-provoking performance of Nichols' play, dutifully brought to life by a superb cast'

Platform505: 'Zoe Wanamaker is a tour de force in Passion Play and towards the end is a real tragedienne'

Richmond & Barnes Magazines: 'The central quartet of leads is happily rock-solid, Wanamaker in particular offering a really persuasive interpretation of a woman slowly losing her sure grip on life and love.'